Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2013;22(4):614-619

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Short Communication

Prevalence and correlates of zinc deficiency in pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City Vinh Quang Nguyen MD, MSc1, Aya Goto MD, MPH, PhD2,3, Tu Van T Nguyen MD, PhD4, Khoa Tuan Vo MD, MSc5, Tuyet Mai T Ta MD, PhD6, Thuy Ninh T Nguyen MD7, Tien Minh Nguyen MD, MSc1, My Binh T Ho MD1, Ngoc Anh T Phan RM1, Hong Hanh T Vu RM1, Thuc My Truong RM1, Hung T Nguyen MD, PhD8 1

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan 3 Takemi Program in International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 5 Department of Endocrinology, 115 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 6 Department of Nutrition, Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 7 Department of Laboratory, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 8 Department of Neurology, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2

Background: Although Vietnam is a region with a plant-based diet that has a high zinc deficiency, epidemiological data showing how this affects pregnant women are limited. This study explores the prevalence of zinc deficiency and possible correlates in pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City. Methods: This was a crosssectional study conducted at a general hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. All pregnant women who came to their first antenatal care visit from November 2011 to June 2012 were recruited. Those taking a vitamin and/or mineral supplement were excluded. Serum zinc concentrations, determined by a standard colorimetric method, of 10.7 mol/L-17.5 mol/L (70.0 g/dL-114 g/dL) were classified as normal and under 10.7 mol/L (70.0 g/dL) as zinc deficient. Results: In total, 254 pregnant women were invited and 107 (42%) participated. The mean age of participants was 29 years, and mean gestational age was 10 weeks. Median zinc concentration in serum was 13.6 mol/L, and the prevalence of zinc deficiency was 29% (95% CI=21%-39%). The daily intake of a milk product supplement was the only significant correlate of zinc deficiency of the items investigated (adjusted OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.16-0.99, p=0.049). Discussion: This is the first study reporting that more than 25% of pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City are zinc deficient. Further academic and clinical input is needed to confirm the scale of this neglected issue and to investigate the potential of milk product supplementation in this population.

Key Words: zinc, deficiency, dietary supplement, pregnant women, Vietnam

INTRODUCTION According to a WHO report,1 the estimated global prevalence of zinc deficiency is 31%, ranging from 4% to 73%. High prevalence is observed in regions with a high consumption of plant-based diets and limited access to zincrich food, such as animal products, oysters, and other shellfish.1 Vietnam is one of these regions. Zinc is a necessary trace micronutrient for metabolism, regulation of cellular growth, and cell differentiation.2 Zinc deficiency thus induces a wide range of system disturbances, including impairment of physical growth, immune system deficits, and problems with neuropsychological development. Thus, the clinical implications for pregnant women related to zinc deficiency are important; complications range from infertility and fetal death to intrauterine growth retardation, and include preterm birth and other anomalies.3 Moreover, potential postnatal complications are possible, such as neurobehavioral abnor-

mality and impaired immunocompetence. Previous studies in Asian countries reported a notably high prevalence of zinc deficiency among pregnant women; 45% of Chinese women in the third trimester were zinc deficient, defined as

Prevalence and correlates of zinc deficiency in pregnant Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City.

背景:儘管越南是一個以蔬食為主而有高的鋅缺乏地區,但是這對於懷孕婦女 影響如何,仍缺乏流行病學的數據。本研究探討胡志明市的越南懷孕婦女其鋅 缺乏盛行率與可能相關因素。方法:這個橫斷性研究執行於越南胡志明市的一 間綜合醫院。自2011 年11 月到2012 年6 月第一次來產檢的孕婦為研究對象, 但排...
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